Use sugar sparingly

Although sugar is not as calorific as fat or alcohol, it is still a highly concentrated source of calories, with no other nutritional value.

Avoid sugar drinks (cordials, sweet fizzy sodas and Cola). Use one of low-calorie varieties instead. If you must sweeten coffee or tea use a sugar substitute with one of the calorie-free sweeteners, such as saccharine or aspartame, which is indistinguishable from sugar and leaves no aftertaste. While using in cooking, add sweeteners after, not before cooking.

In many manufactured foods, sugar is often combined with fat. Sweets, chocolate and creamy cakes should be treated with suspicion!

Sugar is an acquired taste so cut down gradually. It is, after all, only a flavour enhancer! As your palate becomes accustomed to a gradual reduction in sweet flavours, you will find that you will only need a small amount to satisfy your less sweet taste buds.